The Master of the Třeboň Altarpiece

The Master of the Třeboň Altarpiece was one of the most important Gothic artists of the international style art in the European context. Scholarly literature, both Czech and foreign, presents various ideas concerning ascribing particular pieces of art to this unknown figure, the date of their origin and their chronology, artistic ideological points of departure of his work and the reconstruction and origin of the "Třeboň altarpiece." Art historian Jan Royt’s extensive scientific monograph on the Master of the Třeboň Altarpiece is an attempt to answer these questions.
The introductory chapters outline the historical events and development of painting in Europe and in Bohemia in the last third of the 14th century, including the spiritual background of the time. The central part is devoted to the artistic and iconographic analysis of works of the Master of the Třeboň Altarpiece and works from his workshop and circle as well as importance in the formulation of the "beautiful style." The scholar focused also on the various hypothetical variants of the hypothetical reconstruction of the altarpiece (including drawings). The book closes with a detailed and critical overview of art historians’ views of the work of this medieval artist.
The appendix, including illustrations, summarizing the results of restoration survey of the panel paintings by the Master of the Třeboň Altarpiece, is the work of Adam Pokorný.

This book has wonderful fully illustrated photographs and high resolution detailed images of smaller aspects in the Trebon Altarpiece. There is a plethora of beautiful photographs of Bohemian works (not just of the Trebon Altarpiece), and easily accessible language that makes this an attractive read to the lay public and the art historian enthusiast. Jan Royt's The Master of Trebon Altarpiece sheds light on both the structure of the Bohemian court and ecclesiastical religious issues. The conclusion offers exciting possibilities for further studies in art restoration and the legacy of the master of Trebon and his workshop.
Laura M. Noonan (Pasadena, CA, Comitatus: A Journal of Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Volume 47, 2016, pp. 334–336)